1884-09-16 Ontario Premier Mowat in Hamilton

 “There are few public men in the Dominion of Canada today who have such a strong hold upon the affections of the masses of the people as the Hon. Oliver Mowat who received such a hearty and spontaneous welcome from the Reformers of this city and district this morning at the G. T. R. depot while on his way to Toronto.”

Hamilton Times.   September 16, 1884.

It was only a brief stop but it was a chance for Hamiltonians and many from the surrounding district to see and cheer the Premier of the province.

While the Times labelled it a “hearty and spontaneous welcome, it may have been hearty but not really spontaneous, as a lot of planning had gone into how Premier Mowat would be greeted during his brief time in Hamilton:

“The Hamilton and Wentworth Reformers – ever loyal to the grand old cause and their leaders – had not been behind the rest of the Province in their desire to do honor to the champion of Ontario, and they went to work with a will to welcome Mr. Mowat, and to tell him how much they esteemed him.”¹

¹ “The Mowat Ovation : Grand Gathering of Hamilton and Wentworth Reformers”

Hamilton Times.   September 16, 1884.

Not long before Premier Mowat’s train was to arrive, a train pulled into the G.T.R. station from the west carrying two hundred “badged” Reformers from London.

Also augmenting the gathering were the following, as described  in the Times :

“Large numbers of the workingmen employed around the Western shops rushed from their work and gazed admiringly upon their leader, the Premier.”

In an age when newspapers had strong political affiliations, the Hamilton Times was a Reform Party paper while the Hamilton Spectator was aligned with the Tory party.

Premier Mowat’s popularity, at least in the view of the Times, crossed party allegiances:

“The long and spotless public career of the Premier has been such as to endear him to that section of the community who, in politics, accord with him, and to cause him to be looked on with respect by the great majority of Conservatives whose moral sensibilities have not been blunted by party prejudice.”¹

Premier Mowat’s popularity was had a high point in the fall of 1884. He had successfully championed Ontario’s case to expand its borders to include the area north of Lake Superior to James Bay and west to the border of Manitoba. He had just returned from a trip to England to cement that transaction.

The “spontaneous” Hamilton welcome began as follows:

“At 9:10 the express from the east steamed into the yard, and was stopped at the platform constructed for the occasion. Just as the train was slowing up, the 13^th Battalion Band struck up ‘See the Conquering Hero Comes’ and the multitude broke out in vociferous cheering

“Immediately, Hons. Messrs. Franer, Pardee and others of the delegates who went down to the frontier to meet Mr. Mowat appeared on the platform of the parlor car, followed by the Premier.

His appearance was the signal for another outburst of enthusiasm. On being escorted to the platform, the concourse of people crowded in and intensely listened to the proceedings which followed.

Benjamin Charlton, President of the Hamilton Reform Association was the first speaker, and the following excerpt for his lengthy speech conveys its style.

He said to the Premier:

“ ‘When you, sir, sent that modest little ‘hurrah’ flashing along the ocean wire, you sent a thrill of patriotic gratitude through the hearts of the people of this Province that will repeat itself in 10,000 lusty hurrahs this day, in which you will discover something of the gratitude, high esteem and affectionate regard entertained for you, not alone by Reformers, but by many good men who usually stand in the ranks of our opponents as well’ ”¹

Mr. Charlton then presented Premier Mowat with a beautifully decorated address repeating similar sentiments. Then the local member of the provincial parliament, John M. Gibson steeped forward and said:

“ ‘ In order that we let Mr. Mowat see that we mean all that we have said, let us give three running cheers for the Premier of Ontario.” The cheers were given with a will.”¹

The presidents of the South and North Wentworth Reform Associations, James Russell and John Weir respectively, also presented the Premier with embossed addresses which they read before giving them to him.

In response, Premier Mowat said, in part:

“ ‘ I am glad to meet my Reform friends of these three great constituencies. It was to have been expected that you would have rejoiced in the triumph recently achieved. I am also glad to know that the Conservatives are also sharing in the glory of the great battle I have just returned from fighting (Applause)

“ ‘I know full well it is the boundary question which has aroused the enthusiasm which prevails. It is to this that I owe the immense gathering who have turned out to do me honor today.’ ”¹

Premier Mowat went on to talk about the need for strong provincial governments and that the stability provided by the founders of Confederation, of which he was one, was because of effective “Provincial Legislatures:”

“ ‘Every effort to encroach on Provincial rights and powers should be resisted in the interests, not only of the Provinces, but in the interests of Confederation.’ (Applause.)”¹

Unfortunately a change in the weather provoked a curtailment of the Premier’s speech:

“At this stage, rain began to fall, and Mr. Mowat closed with the words : ‘I will only say that the grand welcome you have accorded me today will be a bright memory to the end of my life.’ ”¹

Before leaving, Premier Mowat was served an excellent breakfast. During that brief breakfast, the 13^th Battalion Band played several numbers for his, and the crowd’s enjoyment.

After breakfast it was time to leave:

“As the train moved out he appeared on the rear end of the car bowing his acknowledgements amidst the cheering, waving of banners, handkerchiefs, etc. which prevailed.”¹